WASHINGTON, DC — To recognize a decade of the Senator Ben Nelson Fellows program, a delegation of five battlefield healthcare professionals will take part in the Open World program November 7-18. After an extended orientation in Washington, DC, the Nelson Fellows will be hosted in Omaha for the remainder of their program where they will be hosted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with support from the Friendship Force of Geater Omaha.

A Decade of the Senator Ben Nelson Fellows

The Congressional Office for International Leadership’s Board of Trustee’s desired to honor Senator Ben Nelson (2001 – 2013, Nebraska) for his leadership and support of the Open World program both as the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch and as a COIL Trustee. The first delegation of Nelson Fellows arrived June 1, 2013. Senator Ben Nelson is in his second term as the Charman of COIL’s Board of Trustees.

The Senator Ben Nelson Fellows are rising leaders in the healthcare field in Ukraine and are traditionally hosted in Senator Nelson’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, a metropolitan area with access to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The first delegation arrived June 1, 2013, and have visited the United States annually.

In Washington, the Nelson Fellows will meet with Senator Pete Ricketts (NE). They will have a session with senior staff of the Veterans Health Administration and a tour of Arlington National Cemetery, among other activities. This group of Senator Ben Nelson Fellows includes the following:

Tetiana Romaniuk
Paramedic, Commander of the Medical Evacuation Crew, Hospitallers Medical Battalion
After the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine she engaged in the evacuation of civilians from Irpin, Bucha, and occupied villages of the Chernihiv Region. She worked near Avdiyivka and Bakhmut during the liberation of Robotyne.

Anastasiia Kozhemiakina
Lead Specialist, Directorate of Strategic Planning and European Integration, Ministry of Veteran Affairs of Ukraine
Anastasiia Kozhemiakina is responsible for the coordination of state policy on social protection of to war veterans and working to ensure their transition from military service to civilian life.

Oleksandr Chamorsov
Chief Psychologist, Hotline Support Service, Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine
As Chief Psychologist of the hotline, Mr. Chamorsov provides psychological support to veterans and their families. His experience as a veteran adds an extra layer of empathy to his work.

Nina Tronenko
Clinical Psychologist, Lisova Poliana Center for Mental Health and Rehabilitation of Veterans
Ms. Tronenko is also engaged in programs utilizing Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). Her current areas of activities include psychological rehabilitation of war veterans and research into in the rehabilitation of war veterans.

Natalia Chuzhykova
Volunteer
Ms. Chuzhykova is attached to the 93rd Kholodnyy Yar Brigade, 46th Brigade, 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, Air Defense Forces.

The delegation will be accompanied by facilitator Halyna Kaluzhna.

More than 30,000 current and future leaders from around the world have participated in the Open World program. COIL offers one of the most effective U.S. exchange programs to promote mutually beneficial options for depolarized engagement between future national leaders. It is a unique but no less powerful tool for Congress to engage legislatures in critical regions.

COIL, a Support Agency of the Congress
Founded in 1999 by Congress, the Congressional Office for International Leadership maintains a vast network of more than 30,000 alumni in over 30 countries. It’s Open World program supports legislative diplomacy efforts for Members of Congress by conducting exchanges that establish authentic communication and enduring relationships that are maintained through its extensive alumni network. Program participants are provided with exposure to the work of Congress, American politics, accountable governance, and volunteerism while being home hosted by American families. To learn more about the Open World program, please visit @OWprogram.

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